Would the PRI and the Drug Cartels in Mexico pact if they win the Presidency?

Mexican President Felipe Calderon

John Reed

reportingfrommexico.blogspot.com

Reporting From Mexico - President Felipe Calderon's interview with the New York times about a possible PRI government (Institutional Revolutionary Party) pacting with the drug cartels in exchange for peace, got mixed reviews in the Mexican press, especially from Mexico's powerhouse:

"EL UNIVERSAL"

(http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/801491.html)

Mexican presidential elections will be held next year with the PRI's Enrique Peña Nieto, believed to be the front runner and possible future President of Mexico. The majority of Mexicans realize that the PRI allowed the cartels to emerge and gain power during their 72 year rule.  It was not until 2000 that Vicente Fox from the PAN (National Action Party)defeated the seven decade hold the PRI had over the country. Felipe Calderon followed as the next PAN president. However the tables are turning on the PAN as many feel that the PRI has a legitimate shot at winning the Presidency. 

Since Mexicans feel that the emergence and growth of the cartels was under the PRI rule, a win for them would mean "going back to the good old days" where government and cartels simply work together.

Along with the war, just like in the United States, the main concern for Mexicans is the economy.  Althought the unemployment rate is at 5.5% compared to the 9.1% in the United States, the devaluation of the peso with the dollar and the inflation in basic consumer goods concern the average Mexican.

Simply, the country is divided on this issue and it is not about to get any better in the near future.

So could there be a pact between the PRI and the Drug Cartels if Enrique Peña Nieto wins the Presidency?

The question is if this happened, would the United States work with Mexico if they did?